1922 – Lt. Cmdr. Virgil C. Griffin, in a Vought VE-7SF makes first the takeoff from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1) anchored in York River, Va.

From the Richmond-Times Dispatch:

On Oct. 17, 1922, as the Langley lay anchored in the York River, Lt. V.C. Griffin’s Vought VE-7SF biplane took off from its deck, the first takeoff from a Navy aircraft carrier. Griffin is believed to have flown the plane back to Norfolk, where it had been loaded onto the Langley, Forrest said.

Gee, I can’t believe I scooped SteelJaw Scribe and Far East Cynic (both CV aviation guys, but since they are VAW and not VF/VFA types), and Instapinch! I’m letting Capt Lex have a pass, since he’s doing the “I’m here from da gov’ment, and I’m here to help!” thing with forward deployed forces right now.